Nearly thirty years ago—on September 14, 1982, to be precise—I went with friends, the writers Edward Lempinen and Jane Kay, to see the British industrial-punk-Marxist band Gang of Four tear up the stage. (All things come around: Gang of Four is now on tour, after many years’ absence.) Opening for the rabble-rousers from Leeds were an unknown quartet. They were spotty, off-key, nervous, out of tune, and after a couple of their numbers I turned to my friends and confidently announced, “These guys aren’t going anywhere.”

These guys were R.E.M., who would go on to achieve great repute in the world of rock ‘n’ roll, and who taught me a lesson: Do not be firm in your prognostications, for the universe has a way of laughing at our foolish certainties.

Twenty years ago today, the Athens, Georgia–based foursome released what is perhaps their best-known and seventh album, Out of Time. Back in the musty days when albums had sides—indeed, when albums were albums—side 2 kicked in with the irrepressibly pop-jangly tune “Shiny Happy People.” More earnest is the soul-baring A-side hit “Losing My Religion,” a clip from which follows a live performance of “Shiny Happy People” on Saturday Night Live. As for the first tune, well, it defies being listened to in a state of grumpiness, and as such, I think, it’s a tonic for any currently sentient being. Enjoy both songs as they enter their third decade.